Joe Morello RIP

(Gibson) Drummer Joe Morello, who rose to prominence with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, has passed away at the age of 82 according to Spinner.com. He died of unspecified causes at his New Jersey home.

A prolific live and studio musician during his 60-plus year career, Morello appeared on more than 120 records, nearly half of which were with the Dave Brubeck Quartet. Downbeat magazine named him "best drummer" for five consecutive years.

Born July 27, 1928, in Springfield, Massachusetts, Morello was originally a violinist, and at the age of 12 he performed as a featured soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He traded his violin for the drums when he was 15, and immersed himself in the study of jazz. Over the years he performed and recorded with such legendary figures as Jimmy Raney, Tal Farlow, Glen Gray, Marian McPartland and Stan Kenton. It was in 1965 that Morello took what was initially a two-week job with the Dave Brubeck Quartet. That gig eventually stretched into more than 12 years. more on this story